nothing like an early morning FB debate

breezee_bean

https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584500,00.html

A few of my Christian friends are not liking this.  I am a Christian, but I totally believe that religious tolerance works both ways. 

stillhoping

I could not agree with you more. It is not going to change my believes that those that believe this way have a way to pray. Being a Christian does not give me the right to tell others how they can or can not pray etc.

EliseB0323

I figure cadets pledge an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, which stipulates our right to freedom of religion, so they should certainly be able to exercise that freedom.

CleoKitty

I don't get it. What's to be upset about? They aren't forcing Christian Air Force cadets to attend, they're just providing it as another option.

I guess I thought the armed forces were all about protecting our country and it's freedoms. Does freedom of religion only apply to Christians? 

EliseB0323

I'm sort of surprised there are that many Wiccans at the Air Force Academy.

breezee_bean

CleoKitty:

I don't get it. What's to be upset about? They aren't forcing Christian Air Force cadets to attend, they're just providing it as another option.

I guess I thought the armed forces were all about protecting our country and it's freedoms. Does freedom of religion only apply to Christians? 

one of them comments was in regards to not allowing nativity scenes on government property (??) I am not sure what the "rules" are in regards to that.

then, we have ye ole, "it's the downfall of America's values."

jessicaclare

I don't really get the big deal either. I'm pretty religious, and as a Christian, I believe in sharing the Word with others. I think that can be done as a simple statement or discussion and NOT in a preaching way.Just because I share what I believe doesn't mean that I judge, persecute or demand that others believe what I believe. Besides that, to me one of the most important lessons of Jesus is that we treat others the way we want to be treated, and I certainly don't want to be told that I can't pray in my own way. I give others the same freedoms and acceptance that I myself want.

EliseB0323

breezee_bean:

CleoKitty:

I don't get it. What's to be upset about? They aren't forcing Christian Air Force cadets to attend, they're just providing it as another option.

I guess I thought the armed forces were all about protecting our country and it's freedoms. Does freedom of religion only apply to Christians? 

one of them comments was in regards to not allowing nativity scenes on government property (??) I am not sure what the "rules" are in regards to that.

then, we have ye ole, "it's the downfall of America's values."

Military bases/property is kind of a "special exception" to the whole separation of church and state thing. It's government property, but you can't really not have places of worship on that property. Just like you can ban religious holiday displays in a federal office building, but it would be pretty hard to do so on a military base where people live, go to church, etc.

breezee_bean

jessicaclare:

I don't really get the big deal either. I'm pretty religious, and as a Christian, I believe in sharing the Word with others. I think that can be done as a simple statement or discussion and NOT in a preaching way.Just because I share what I believe doesn't mean that I judge, persecute or demand that others believe what I believe. Besides that, to me one of the most important lessons of Jesus is that we treat others the way we want to be treated, and I certainly don't want to be told that I can't pray in my own way. I give others the same freedoms and acceptance that I myself want.

ditto, ditto, ditto! 

breezee_bean

EliseB0323:

breezee_bean:

CleoKitty:

I don't get it. What's to be upset about? They aren't forcing Christian Air Force cadets to attend, they're just providing it as another option.

I guess I thought the armed forces were all about protecting our country and it's freedoms. Does freedom of religion only apply to Christians? 

one of them comments was in regards to not allowing nativity scenes on government property (??) I am not sure what the "rules" are in regards to that.

then, we have ye ole, "it's the downfall of America's values."

Military bases/property is kind of a "special exception" to the whole separation of church and state thing. It's government property, but you can't really not have places of worship on that property. Just like you can ban religious holiday displays in a federal office building, but it would be pretty hard to do so on a military base where people live, go to church, etc.

that makes sense.